Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST Students (Classes IX & X)
Centrally sponsored school scholarship providing ₹3,500 to ₹7,000 annual support to Scheduled Tribe students in Classes IX and X to minimize dropouts.
₹Benefits & Entitlement Breakdown
📊Budget Allocation & Beneficiary Reach
₹450 Crore (Union Budget allocation for Pre-Matric ST Scholarships)
Official Budget Document ↗14+ Lakh ST school students assisted annually
As of: 2024-03-31PIB / Official Citation ↗Verified Eligibility Criteria
Student must belong to Scheduled Tribe (ST). Must be a regular full-time student studying in Class IX or X in a Government or recognized school. Total family annual income must not exceed ₹2,50,000.
Required Documents Checklist
- ✓ST Caste Certificate issued by competent revenue authorityMandatory
Proof of Scheduled Tribe status.
- ✓Income Certificate (< ₹2.50 Lakh)Mandatory
Issued by Tehsildar or authorized revenue officer.
- ✓Aadhaar Card of the StudentMandatory
Mandatory for OTR and DBT credit.
- ✓Class 8 or 9 Pass MarksheetMandatory
Proof of academic progression.
- ✓Aadhaar-seeded Bank Account PassbookMandatory
For receiving scholarship payment.
How to Apply
Official Government Application Portal
You will be redirected to the secure official portal: scholarships.gov.in
Frequently Asked Questions (Officially Sourced)
Verified answers sourced directly from official circulars, gazettes, and portal FAQs. Never AI-invented.
What is the rate of assistance for hostellers versus day scholars?
Hostellers receive ₹7,000 per annum, while day scholars receive ₹3,500 per annum.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Can students from private schools apply for Pre-Matric ST Scholarship?
Students studying in government-recognized private schools are eligible provided their school is registered on the National Scholarship Portal with a valid U-DISE+ code.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗How is the scholarship money disbursed?
The scholarship is transferred directly into the student Aadhaar-seeded bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Common Rejection Reasons & Warnings
Family income exceeding ₹2.50 lakh; student studying in class other than IX or X; applicant already availing another scholarship.
Editorial Verification & Change Log
| Date | Field | Description / Update | Source Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-16 | initial_verification | Baseline verification of Pre-Matric ST scholarship guidelines, ₹2.50 Lakh income limit, and NSP workflows. | Official Source ↗ |
Application Window & Deadlines
Annual academic window: July through November
Deadline: 2026-11-30
Related Welfare Programs
Skill certification and vocational training scheme under MSDE offering free industry-relevant job-role training, NSQF certification, and placement support.
National school nutrition programme providing free nutritious hot cooked meals to primary and upper-primary children in government and aided schools.
Centrally sponsored academic scholarship providing ₹3,500 to ₹7,000 annual financial support to Scheduled Caste students in Class IX and X.
Official Helpline & Nodal Offices
Tribal Welfare Education Division, Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Shastri Bhawan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi - 110001
Helpline: 011-23386176 / 0120-6619540 (NSP Helpline)
Jurisdiction: National (All-India)Notice a Discrepancy?
Help keep civic data 100% accurate. We audit every report against primary gazettes.
Verification Metadata
Last verified by Eligo researchers on 2026-09-16 against official government documentation.
Eligo is an independent information platform unaffiliated with any government body. Always confirm latest terms directly on the official portal.